by STITCH IN TYNE
A NEWCASTLE fan going by the name Mike had supporters in stitches – coming from Holland to watch them in a HOME-MADE Toon shirt after a mishap with a kit order.
He was at St James’ Park eight hours early for Monday’s 0-0 draw with Leicester that ensured the Magpies qualified for the Champions League.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe celebrates qualifying for the Champions League
Dutchman Mike shows off his home-made Toon top alongside his dad
image from Instagram
The man named Mike can thank his dad’s design skills with a felt tip for his striped top – just as his heroes were writing their own piece of history.
The ChronicleLive revealed how disappointment with an online order for a shirt turned into a crafty adventure.
Mike’s father said: “I ordered the original for Christmas back in November but got a message to say it wouldn’t arrive in time.
“So I made this one myself, so I had a Christmas gift.”
His handiwork was as artistic as anything Eddie Howe’s entertainers produced on the night, albeit their stalemate against the lowly Foxes lifted them to third in the Premier League.
And that’s meant as a compliment!
Mike’s dad conjured his own version of this season’s shirt from a plain white T-shirt, adding in Castore and Fun 88 logos.
The father and son were particularly keen to see Newcastle’s Holland Under-21 centre-back Sven Botman.
And Mike said in a video message: “Sven, congratulations. You’re going to get that Champions League ticket tonight.
“We are so proud of you. Thank you for representing us here on behalf of the Netherlands.”
Botman played the whole game – but for one night only his fellow Dutchmen’s shirt was just as big a “draw”.
